Department of Philosophy | BA English Literature and Philosophy (with Year Abroad)

BA English Literature & Philosophy (with Year Abroad) at Durham University

[email protected]

Studying a range of literary and philosophical texts from medieval times to the twenty-first century, this degree explores the interconnected relationship between English Literature and Philosophy and challenges the way you think about the world.

If you’re fascinated by literature from different cultures and times and have an interest in the big questions about how the world works and what makes us human, this course could be for you.

The Joint Honours BA in English Literature & Philosophy is a thought-provoking, cross-disciplinary degree that will challenge the way you think about the world. It develops your skills, knowledge and understanding across the two subjects through the study of a range of philosophical and literary texts, important concepts, questions, arguments and methods. The syllabus is equally weighted between the two subjects with modules such as Theory & Practice of Literary Criticism exploring the intellectual connections between the two areas.

You will be taught by subject experts with wide-ranging specialisms across both disciplines. Course content is informed by the research expertise of teaching staff which keeps the course relevant and up to date.

In the first year you will build a strong foundation in both disciplines. The course broadens out in the second year, offering a wide selection of optional modules that give you plenty of opportunities to tailor the course to your interests.

In the final year you will research and produce a dissertation on an area of your choice in either subject area. You also have the flexibility to choose optional modules from both subjects which allows you to follow your areas of specialisation in greater depth.

You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree; this would increase the course from three years to four.

Philosophical training will equip you with a range of theoretical and transferable skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, communication, project management, presenting and researching, that will be of value to employers across a range of industries.

Our graduates work in a vast range of employment sectors worldwide, including law, the Civil Service and politics, management, public relations, teaching, journalism, media and publishing, marketing, retail and business, IT and financial services. Examples of recent employers include Penguin, Random House Publishing, Save the Children, Amnesty International and The Guardian.

Academically, we inspire our students to develop as analytic, sensitive and creative readers and writers, yet an English Studies degree is worth so much more. We aim to transform students into independent thinkers with the ability to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively. It’s this skill set, coupled with effective organisational and research skills, that makes them so highly valued across a range of work environments. Outside of the classroom, we offer regular lectures and workshops that focus on personal development and key employability skills.

Graduates progress into a diverse range of careers and sectors, including roles in arts and theatre management, broadcasting, publishing and journalism, technical writing, business, marketing and advertising, teaching, higher education, law, the third sector and government.

Durham University: Inspiring the Extraordinary

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world.

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other!